What is FTP and How Does it Work?

First of all, what is FTP?

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the simplest and most secure way to exchange files over the Internet. Whether you know it or not, you most likely use FTP all the time.  More simple or my definition for FTP is, “To Transfer one file from a computer to another.”

In our case, it is used to transfer our files to the host computer, you can use a FTP Program to make it easy and simple.  For example the WS_FTP Program is one of the easiest programs to use.

How does it work?

There is basically 5 steps to performing FTP.

Step 1:	Establish a connection to the Internet. (Just as you would if you were browsing)
Step 2:	Start the program WS_FTP. (You can find this program in the Start menu, under All Programs, in the program group called IPSwitch Ws_ftp).
Step 3:	Establish a connection to a file resource. (You may need to create a connection profile if this is the first time that you have used WS FTP)
Step 4;	Download or Upload your files
Step 5:	End the Session

How do I use FTP on Internet Explorer?

First, if you are using IE 7 or higher, you can’t use it to transfer your website files to the host computer.  However, you can still use the normal system, it’s easy and simple, instead of openning Internet Explorer page, open up My Documents, or My computer and follow the steps from Step #2.

#1- Open up Internet Explorer Browser.

#2-Go to the adress bar and type: ftp://you-website-name.com

#3-Enter your FTP Client pass.

#4-If you are using Windows hosting, go to the folder named HTTPDOCS / If you are a Linux user go to Public_Html folder.

#5-Upload your files to this directory. After you are done, go to http://www.you-website-name.com and check out what you just uploaded.